Tuning the Optical Properties Through Hydrogen Bond-assisted H-aggregate Formation: The ODIN Case

The current work focuses on the investigation of two functionalized naphthyridine derivatives, namely ODIN-EtPh and ODIN-But, to gain insights into the hydrogen bond-assisted H-aggregate formation and its impact on the optical properties of ODIN molecules. By employing a combination of X-ray and electron crystallography, absorption and emission spectroscopy, time resolved fluorescence and ultrafast pump-probe spectroscopy (visible and infrared) we unravel the correlation between the structure and light-matter response, with a particular emphasis on the influence of the polarity of the surrounding environment. Our experimental results and simulations confirm that in polar and good hydrogen-bond acceptor solvents (DMSO), the formation of dimers for ODIN derivatives is strongly inhibited. The presence of a phenyl group linked to the ureidic unit favors the folding of ODIN derivatives (forming an intramolecular hydrogen bond) leading to the stabilization of a charge-transfer excited state which almost completely quenches its fluorescence emission. In solvents with a poor aptitude for forming hydrogen bonds, the formation of dimers is favored and gives rise to H aggregates, with a consequent considerable reduction in the fluorescence emission. The urea-bound phenyl group furtherly stabilizes the dimers in chloroform.